Lesson 2: Best Friends
I needed a shoulder to cry on.

I can talk about best friends.

INTRODUCE

People usually talk about their best friends by mentioning their similarities, interests, and shared experiences.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

I. Go over the expressions with your tutor.

    1. Like two peas in a pod is used to describe two people who are very similar.

     

    Nica and Maris are like two peas in a pod. They both have the same fashion sense and taste in clothes.

     

     

    2. A shoulder to cry on refers to someone who is willing to listen and sympathize with another person’s problems.

     

    Andrea is always there whenever I need a shoulder to cry on.

     

     

    3. If two people are inseparable, it means they’re very close and are always together.

     

    Daphne and Chelsea have been inseparable since high school. It’s very rare to see one of them out alone.

     

    II. How close are you with your best friend? Explain using the expressions above.

     

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When one word ends with a consonant sound and the next word starts with a vowel sound, they are often linked together.
Phrase Example

in a pod

/ i-nah pod /

They’re like two peas / i-nah pod /.

UNDERSTAND

SPEAKING

Kelsie is helping Gracie with the final preparations for her wedding.

Gracie:

Thank you for helping me with all these wedding preparations.

Kelsie:

No problem. That’s what a maid of honor is for, right? (laughs) If you need anything else, you know I’m more than willing to help.

Gracie:

Thanks, Kelsie. This is exactly why I chose you as my maid of honor. It’s not just because we’re like two peas in a pod– you’ve always been there for me through the good and the bad. Remember when that jerk dumped me during the big blizzard?

Kelsie:

You mean Drake?

Gracie:

Yeah, him! I needed a shoulder to cry on so badly, and you didn’t hesitate to drive to my place in the blinding snow to comfort me. Man, we were inseparable at that time.

Kelsie:

Oh, I remember that! You were so crushed. I remember you said you were giving up on love entirely! (laughs) But now you’re about to get married to the love of your life. I couldn’t be happier for you.

Gracie:

Aww, thank you, Kelsie! (sniffles) I think I might cry.

Kelsie:

No time for tears! We have to start on these gift bags!

TRIVIA

In North American weddings, the bride and groom have an entourage of their closest friends. The members of the bride’s entourage are called bridesmaids, while the members of the groom’s entourage are called groomsmen. The brides will also choose one bridesmaid to be her maid/matron of honor, while the groom chooses one groomsman to be his best man. These positions are both an honor and a pain because they are expected to help the bride and groom on their special day!

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Match the sentences on the left with the expressions on the right.

1. He comforted me when I was feeling lonely.

 

2. We do everything the same– we even have the same laugh!

 

3. We hang out almost every day.

a. inseparable

 

b. a shoulder to cry on

 

c. like two peas in a pod

STEP B EXERCISE

Are the rephrased sentences correct? If not, correct them.

1. Thank you for giving me a shoulder to cry on.

→ Thank you for defending me.

 

2. Karl and Jean are like two peas in a pod. They both love Beethoven and will both argue that Moonlight Sonata is his best work.

→ Karl and Jean are very similar. Both of them are huge fans of Beethoven and believe that his best work is Moonlight Sonata.

 

3. Troy and Dino have been inseparable since they formed their band.

→ They’ve grown apart since they formed their band.

 

4. Like two peas in a pod, Saori and Cara laugh at the same bad jokes.

→ Because they have the same sense of humor, Saori and Cara laugh at the same bad jokes.

 

5. You’ve been a good shoulder to cry on from the very beginning.

→ You’ve never sympathized with me since we met.

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You had dinner with your best friend at a restaurant near your office last night. Now, you’re at work. Chat with a coworker about your best friend.

Today's Expressions

  • like two peas in a pod
  • a shoulder to cry on
  • inseparable

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

BEST FRIENDS
2

KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH BEST FRIENDS
3

FRIENDSHIP
1

BEST FRIENDS

  1. What’s the difference between a friend and a best friend?
  2. Should everyone have a best friend?
  3. What are the qualities of a good best friend?
  4. Can people become best friends even after knowing each other for only a short time?

2KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH BEST FRIENDS

  1. How often do you talk with your best friend?
  2. Who usually initiates a conversation, you or your best friend?
  3. Do you usually call your best friend when you need a shoulder to cry on?
  4. Are there things you don’t talk about with your best friend?

3FRIENDSHIP

  1. Do you think it's important to have friends?
  2. Do you prefer to have many friends or just a few close friends?
  3. What’s the longest friendship you’ve ever had?
  4. Do you feel that friendship is a type of love?

FEEDBACK

I can talk about best friends.

LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK